Is it time for Townsend to go?

[odw26]

Six Nations 2025: Townsend optimistic on Scotland future but is it 'time for change'?

Gregor Townsend says he has "a lot of optimism for the future" as Scotland head coach, but former international team-mate Peter Wright says "it's time for a change" after eight years.

www.bbc.co.uk

For the Scots out there- is it time for change? It looks as though Townsend wants to stay, and is confident he will.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I feel their team in terms of players is the best they have had, but it doesn't feel they have moved forward for a long time

 

[odw26]

I feel their team in terms of players is the best they have had, but it doesn't feel they have moved forward for a long time

I agree, but think we have regressed player-wise since 2021, especially in the forwards.

 

[Elborak]

I think the Scottish team's problem is its depth. The bench doesn't add much. And their game is beautiful but predictable and often sterile.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I feel the regression didn't help with Cockers getting the boot from Edinburgh tbh, he was helping to build a good solid base of mean tight 5's.
Lock and TH depth are an issue. I'm amazed Henderson didn't get game time in the 6Ns.

 

[odw26]

I think the Scottish team's problem is its depth. The bench doesn't add much.

Absolutely, more so in the forwards, as was obvious in the second half against France.

And their game is beautiful but predictable and often sterile.

I feel as though this is more so down to our lack of grunt in the forwards, meaning we have to rely heavily on our backs to generate front-foot ball.

feel the regression didn't help with Cockers getting the boot from Edinburgh tbh, he was helping to build a good solid base of mean tight 5's.
Lock and TH depth are an issue.

I don't think Cockerill was a long-term solution to Edinburgh, but our front five has definitely lost some grunt, which has negatively impacted the national team.
I'd also add hooker to the depth issues.

 

[g6mcg]

Probably worth trying something different. I'm not convinced another coach would do better but I don't see things significantly improving under Townsend.

I don't really buy the argument that he's been much under par though. Perhaps another coach might have snuck a 6N ***le over the past few years but 3rd-4th feels about right for the quality of the squad.

 

[Elborak]

Probably worth trying something different. I'm not convinced another coach would do better but I don't see things significantly improving under Townsend.

I don't really buy the argument that he's been much under par though. Perhaps another coach might have snuck a 6N ***le over the past few years but 3rd-4th feels about right for the quality of the squad.

I agree

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Suspect this thread wouldn't exist if Russell had nailed that last kick at HQ.

Been in situ since 2017 which is a pretty long time. A change of voice probably wouldn't be a bad thing, but unconvinced that anyone else would get markedly different results over the medium term.

 

[ncurd]

Perhaps another coach might have snuck a 6N ***le over the past few years but 3rd-4th feels about right for the quality of the squad.

I think they hitting their weight but I think the question is why in X seasons have they never punched above. England going in were a 3rd to 4th side but managed a 2nd place finish with an away win in Wales and keeping a firm home record including beating France.

Scotland also had three home games but lost one and could of beaten England.

Whats stopping them delivering at least one above average season?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think they hitting their weight but I think the question is why in X seasons have they never punched above. England going in were a 3rd to 4th side but managed a 2nd place finish with an away win in Wales and keeping a firm home record including beating France.

Scotland also had three home games but lost one and could of beaten England.

Whats stopping them delivering at least one above average season?

Ireland is genuinely the answer. They definitely should have knocked us over oncd or twice in the Townsemd era. Should have won at least 2 between the fixtures from 2019 - 2021 and 2023 when we were obliterated by injuries

 

[AlRums]

No

 

[OllyM97]

Ireland is genuinely the answer. They definitely should have knocked us over oncd or twice in the Townsemd era. Should have won at least 2 between the fixtures from 2019 - 2021 and 2023 when we were obliterated by injuries

How Scotland didn't win at least one of the home games against Ireland between '19 and '23 I'll never know. As much as 2021 was bad, I honestly think 2023 takes the biscuit - 1 point down at home with 30 minutes to go against a team that had a flanker throwing in to the line-out - and yet Scotland didn't even target the line-out or scrum, that was a shocker.

 

[McTallshort]

It would depend massively on who they would replace him with. Townsend understands Scotland and Scottish rugby. He's been around the SRFU for 30 years and I'm not sure any one else could do better with that player pool. They could have quite easily beaten England and were unlucky not to be against 14 men they lost to France.

 

[dullonien]

Definiely not, he needs to stay.



Mainly saying this so that Wales has more chance of getting Franco Smith as our head coach...

 

[odw26]

First off, I thought he was OOC, but he's contracted until April 2026. However, is that not leaving it too late to RWC 2027 to make a change with just one 6 Nations, a summer "tour" and an autumn series? Surely if a change were to be made, now would be the time to do so.
This is our "golden generation" of the last 25 years, and our record at world cups has been poor. Yes, we've had tough groups, but we haven't come close to qualifying, we haven't really seen much of a progression in that regard.

If Franco Smith is available and willing, why would we not secure him now? Give him two 6 Nations, a summer tour without our Lions to see where our depth truly is, and two autumn series to fully imbed his style.

Or is the depth of our player pool really so poor that it won't make that much of a difference?